Mayor Ford's campaign speech - In his state of the city speech, Mayor Jack Ford took a couple of shots at Carty who responded with, "The mayor can say whatever he wishes to say. I hope we remain friends. I don't intend to call him any names or anything like that." Carty also said Mayor Ford's only opposition is Mayor Ford. Anyway, the full speech follows. Naturally, I had to interject commentary within brackets. Oh yeah, one more thing, a lame, prefab Republican "response" was released by Bernadette Noe after Ford spoke. If this is the Republicans' attempt at garnering interest for their party, then Mayor Ford has no worries.
Noe's response had nothing to do with Ford's speech. Noe could have released it last week or six months from now. It's campaign jibberish. It will be the same talking points Republicans will repeat over and over until November. How tough would it have been, Noe, to just respond to what the Mayor said in his speech? There's nothing of value in Noe's rant to comment on.
Mayor Ford didn't directly address Carty by name. Ford referred to Carty as the "previous administration." But this seems to have been enough to stir Carty's political juices. I think Mayor Ford is calling Carty out. Ford is tired of Carty "thinking" about running for mayor. I think Ford is saying to Carty, "Let's get it on."
So Ford is taunting Carty, and Noe is railing against Ford. And it's only January. The election is over nine months away.
Toledo Mayor Jack Ford's State of the City Address given at the Valentine Theatre on January 25, 2005.
------------
Good evening. Thank you Commissioner Wozniak. Allow me to introduce my family - My wife Cynthia and our children Ryan, Jessica, and Jacqueline.
Ryan is doing well in his second year of college studies here in Toledo. Jessica just completed her first highly successful semester at the University of Michigan.
And Jackie, along with a group of school friends called the "greeting girls," just raised 700 books and gave them to the YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter.
Cynthia leads Mom's House, a facility that offers child-care services and parenting classes for young single mothers who are finishing school.
Let me recognize - Brunetta O'Neal and Dorothy Smith. And although she is not here tonight, Pearl McKissick.
President Escobar, Reverend Clergy, University Presidents, distinguished guests and fellow citizens: Tonight, - I want to have a conversation with you about our city and our accomplishments.
President Escobar I will suggest a series of initiatives for us to accomplish.
And finally, Mr. President, I will make some personal comments directly to our community.
While our economy has been tough, we have much to be glad about in Toledo.
[Mayor Ford inherited a recession. Ford can't be blamed for every local economic problem.]
Our neighborhoods are cleaner.
[Excellent.]
We make better economic development deals that protect your tax dollars.
[Such as? Give one example.]
We work cooperatively with City Council and leaders on the county, state, and federal levels.
Our parks are cleaner and have more exciting things to do.
[Such as? What things? We know the metropark system is one of the jewels of the area. I thought due to budget problems, the metropark staff would be reduced. Is that still true? If so, wouldn't that mean the parks may not be as clean in the future?]
Our bridges are in better shape.
We have new equipment for our workforce, ensuring efficiency, reliable service and safety.
[Such as? Give specifics. Details. We know about Jessica's "highly successful semester" at UM, but what about this new equipment?]
More trees have been trimmed than ever before in the history of Toledo.
[Um, I'm struggling with the importance of that statement. Isn't tree-trimming part of Toledo's city services like snow removal and garbage collection? The Mayor should have given reasons why it was important to trim more tree than ever before. Were the limbs touching power lines and homes? Was it a safety issue? What? Explain. Show don't tell. Toledo trims trees, Maumee plants trees. Maybe that's the difference the city is going for.]
More uninsured citizens have health care available to them than ever before.
Crime has gone down in Toledo for three consecutive years.
[That's a good thing. Well done.]
We have 144 active Block Watches, up from 59 when I took office.
[Excellent.]
Our police and fire departments are nationally accredited. Only 3 major cities in America can make that claim.
[Sounds good.]
Smart growth and smart water policies are used to guide our sale of water to outlying communities.
[Smart water policies like that the Water-Is-Wet bill?]
The Marina District deal has been signed.
The Steam plant deal has been signed.
[Deals have been signed. What does that mean exactly?]
We have reformed our information technology department from being fragmented to where we are now on the cusp of being on the cutting edge.
["... on the cusp of being on the cutting edge." Ouch, that sentence hurts. Strunk and White would not approve of that kind of writing. What does that sentence mean? Again, the Mayor should have gone into detail. The IT deparment upgraded its systems to be standards compliant, and then the Mayor should have stated how Toledo's IT system compares to other cities. Let us decide that our city's IT infrastructure is on the "cusp of being on the cutting edge." Show don't tell.]
We have cut sick time and overtime and Toledo's workforce is performing at higher levels than ever before.
And now you can go to Toledo restaurants, enjoy a meal, and not ingest - second hand smoke!
[Speaking of the economy. Hasn't the smoking ban cost the city a lot of money? How come we don't have the exact details on this? Last September, the Blade ran a feature story on Tempe, Arizona's smoking ban and how it's working there. The article mentioned the word patio over and over. How long is the patio season in Toledo? Anyway, from the Tempe article:
"A look at city of Tempe tax records for bars provides some clues to the story. In 2001, the year before the ban, tax revenue from bars totaled $1.43 million. In 2003, the first full year following the ban, that total dropped to $979,000 - a 31 percent decrease."
Was info like this ever released about Toledo's smoking ban on tax revenue?
The smoking ban caused some businesses to close, some to move, and some to cut staff. Some businesses that support bars lost revenue. And according to the Toledo City Paper's arts and entertainment writer Steve Athanas, the Toledo music scene was hurt in 2004 by the smoking ban. So yeah, maybe you can enjoy a meal and not ingest smoke in a restaurant, but you know what, I could do that before the ban by sitting in the non-smoking section or by eating the damn meal at home. The smoking ban cost the city money. That's a fact. Patrons took business to the burbs.]
I am proud of our record and 2005 will be even better. I hope you will join with me as I seek re-election as mayor of the city of Toledo, Ohio's greatest city and the best mid-sized community in America.
We have weathered many storms this past year. You, the citizens, let me know where you stood. As your mayor, I have been happy to both listen and act.
In an effort to better serve you -- Meet the Mayor night will be held weekly in 2005.
From the ¾ percent levy to the City budget, you were actively involved. And you have been critical to our success.
My administration is built on partnerships. Less than one year ago, I called on elected leaders throughout our county to come together to explore regional cooperation.
[Unigov!!! Beware outlying communities in Lucas County, Toledo wants to expand its empire.]
We held three meetings last year with more to come this year. Now, a joint purchasing agreement is in the works, designed to save money across the board, throughout the county.
I have asked HUD to advise us regarding Urban County designation.
Relationships are stronger, trust is deepening, and regional cooperation is developing for the first time. I salute the commissioners, mayors, and township trustees for their participation, courage and leadership.
Midwestcities, especially those dependent on manufacturing, have been hurting for well over three years. In fact, economic times have been downright brutal.
In the U.S. Conference of Mayors "Metro Agenda for America's Future" report it was predicted that Toledo's manufacturing job loss numbers are not likely to rebound until 2009.
[Again, hindsight is a good friend here, but why didn't Toledo leaders start to move away from a manufacturing-economy 20 years ago?]
Dr. Paul Kozlowski of The University of Toledo said, "While business conditions improved these improvements have not translated into job growth." We have had a jobless recovery.
Further, bad investment deals from the past continue to haunt Toledo to the tune of $1.2 million dollars in debt payments each and every year for decades to come.
[Carty-time.]
These deals include Museum Place, the Hillcrest and the Commodore Perry projects, and the ill-advised PICO deal.
Even now, we are fighting the federal government over $900 thousand dollars that was improperly spent on the Northcross deal. That $900 thousand dollars has been held in escrow for three years – we could really use it right now!
$2.7 million dollars in bad business loans were made in the previous administration.
We have worked very hard to recover $300 thousand dollars from those deals. Our efforts on this will continue. The day I took office I was greeted with a $16 million budget deficit. We have fought back with judicious cuts, revenue enhancements and old-fashioned "going without."
All of these factors quickly add up as to why Toledo faced a deficit in 2005 and we face more challenges in the future.
Throughout 2004, we took many proactive steps to revise our budget.
In March, we formed a Budget Task Force to narrow the gap between our income and our expenditures.
We "battened down the hatches" and cut spending dramatically. We eliminated over 50 positions from the general fund this year.
We reduced health care costs and Workers Comp claims. We reduced overtime by 22 percent, saving $1.2 million dollars by doing so.
We reduced sick time abuse, saving another $420 thousand dollars. Combined we saved $1.6 million dollars and still provided basic services.
I thank the finance team led by Tom Crothers, Joe Walter, Joyce Chapple, City Council members and Dan Hiskey, for their tireless work on this difficult issue.
Toledo's economic vitality will remain our focus in 2005, 2006 and beyond.
Toledoans made major progress in economic development.
Bill Carroll, a long time executive with Dana, joined the City as our Economic Development Director. Bill has an outstanding reputation as a man who gets things done. In short, he's tough, focused, direct, and we're proud to have him on board.
Since I took office, we have been busy assembling and cleaning the land at the Marina District site to present it to a top-flight developer.
That time has come. The Pizzutti Company, along with local partners including Lathrop, SSOE, and Poggemeyer, have come together to bring the Marina District to life.
[The Marina District project was brought to life a year ago. And maybe one or two more times before that.]
In the next few weeks, we will see a brand new vision of what is to come. We expect shops, restaurants, market rate homes and entertainment to be a part of this development that will forever mark Toledo's east riverfront as a point of destination.
["... we will see a brand new vision of what is to come." In other words, an artist will create a cute little model of what the project will look like if it's ever completed for real. This "vision" is nothing new. It's been mentioned in the past.]
The $450 million dollar Jeep expansion was announced. In partnership with the City, DaimlerChrysler, Haden Prism, Kuka, and Hyundai Mobis are constructing new assembly plants that will secure 3,900 jobs.
[This is a fascinating project. This project/partnership could actually be considered "on the cusp of the cutting edge" for automobile manufacturing.]
I was fortunate to receive a national award from President Bush because of our innovative work on the SBA initiative. 34 businesses have either opened or expanded their operations.
[Sounds good.]
Our investment of $900 thousand dollars has leveraged $12 million dollars, and 344 jobs are being created.
Just recently Metzger's Printing returned to Toledo bringing 63 jobs and more are to come. Later this week we will welcome Dr. Michael Walsh’s new medical facility with 74 new jobs. Just these two initiatives total 137 mostly high tech jobs.
We continue our business site visit program. Our development specialists have made nearly 3,000 visits to Toledo businesses, helping to ensure retention and address concerns.
[Sounds good.]
And we have made a generous offer to Owens Illinois to remain downtown.
[Whatever. Isn't a good bit of OI in Perrysburg already?]
The $113 million dollar expansion of Westfield Shoppingtown, the area's premier mall, was a welcome announcement.
[What about Southwyck, North Town, Erie Street Market?]
As a result we will use the new taxes generated by this development to improve many roadways in West Toledo. And we have recently signed a development agreement worth $200 Million dollars on the ProMedica expansion.
[The new roads in that area are nice.]
And we continue to target Southwyck. We have appraised the property, and are pushing the owners to sell. Our goal is to bring developers in to transform this south Toledo facility.
[Transform into what? A business park like Arrowhead in Maumee?]
We made Toledo more business friendly with the introduction of online building permits.
[Toledo is more business friendly, eh?]
And, as of February 15th, contractors needing project inspections can schedule them 24 hours a day 7 days a week online or by phone.
My administration is systematically restructuring the way we do business so that we can attract good paying jobs.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Lucas County Commissioners, we plan to merge our economic development operations this spring.
One of the areas we will seek to development are high tech jobs. We will work in concert with the Port Authority and the RGP to streamline and strengthen economic development around this goal.
[Seeking to develop high tech jobs, that's something to keep an eye on. Hope there's progress or a plan.]
And I hope the RGP excels beyond our wildest expectations. We will work to complement the new role the RGP is carving out for itself.
For Toledo to grow as a vibrant urban center, we must continue to focus on arts and culture. I know that the arts are an engine for economic development.
[I have been wondering about the this. The arts. The grand Toledo arts plan was introduced in the fall of 2003.]
Susan Reams, the City's Arts Consultant, is at the forefront of this effort. She has raised $606 thousand dollars in cash and in kind contributions. Lets thank her for her efforts.
[But what's happening on the arts front? Once again, no details except money has been raised. The website Susan's group built, ToledoArts.org, is rarely updated. There's a calendar of events there, but what about info as to what's happening with this project to make Toledo a better city for arts and culture?]
Lets thank the many corporations and individuals who have responded so well to request for donations toward the Arts and Recreation when Susan or I called.
This summer brought the cool sounds of jazz on the riverfront sponsored by DaimlerChrysler, the Toledo Jazz Society and it was a great show.
I salute Susan, Jon Richardson, Jeff Jaffe and the multitude of volunteers who did a great job. And I am pleased, Jon, to announce that DaimlerChrysler has agreed to give the 2005 Jazz Fest support to the tune of $100,000 --- a $50,000 increase over 2004!
For a city to be livable our citizens must be safe. Our nationally accredited police and fire departments, led by Chief Mike Navarre and Chief Michael Bell, do just that.
Crime continues to remain low in Toledo. We continue our fight against drugs by utilizing our highly effective Bike Unit.
They patrol high crime areas, especially those known for gang and drug activity.
And we have our own version of CSI. We began a $520 thousand dollar renovation project at our Crime Lab, so our professionals have the tools to solve crimes.
I authorized $50 thousand dollars as seed money to purchase and install video cameras in high-risk carryouts. These cameras have already been instrumental in identifying suspects.
And my watch will see the doors shut on the Budget Inn in South Toledo.
A new retail establishment will take its place. Our Regional Homeland Security Bureau has trained over 1,000 individuals in chemical and biological emergency response.
In all, over $906 thousand dollars has been secured for disaster preparedness. Thank you Chief Bell and Chief Navarre!
[All of the above there sounds good.]
Our homes are safer from the risk of fires as a result of our smoke detector program. Since I took office over ten thousand smoke detectors have been distributed.
In addition to being safe, I pledge to stay determined to keep our neighborhoods cleaner and more attractive.
Last October we announced a program that dedicates over $11 million dollars to fund bold projects that will have image changing impact on housing, economic development, school building replacement in your neighborhood.
The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) recognizes this program's potential and is partnering with us on this new initiative, to the tune of 4 million dollars.
In the past these funds were scattershot, sometimes house by house. We are now trying to build brand new neighborhoods.
We reformed our Block Grant process. Our scarce CDBG dollars now go to the high performing agencies.
Despite our challenges, this year we expect over 300 new residential units to be built, and over 4,000 to be rehabbed.
Since I took office 1,000 new units have been added to Toledo's housing stock and 12,000 rehabs have been completed.
Downtown housing continues to boom. A new study by Zimmerman/Volk Associates reveals that 300 new housing units per year should be developed to meet the needs of would be downtown dwellers. Toledo is well on its way with The RiverWest development, the Ottawa development, St. Clair Village development, and the Bartley Lofts development.
[That all sounds real nice.]
The once idle Steam Plant will soon become an attractive condo and apartment development beginning this spring.
Starboard Side will welcome new residents this year. Recently, I insisted that this deal include further guarantees to protect you, the taxpayers. I am happy to say that those new guarantees are in place.
Last year we demolished 268 blighted or abandoned units.
We have cracked down hard on nuisances, issuing 8,000 tickets against those who don't care about their property. These fines are working.
Now our neighborhoods are cleaner and people are keeping them that way.
We went all the way to the Court of Appeals and thanks to our Law Department, headed by Barb Herring, we can now protect our university neighborhoods, ensuring that students are good neighbors and landlords comply with the law. City Council has played a vital role in these efforts. We held four citywide cleanups removing tons of garbage, tires, and debris. We will hold four more cleanups this year. My administration makes Toledo's infrastructure needs a top priority.
We filled nearly 59,000 potholes in 2004.
Last year we paved 22 miles of streets, including parts of Byrne Road, Talmadge, and Monroe Streets. Nearly all our downtown streets are new, complete with beautiful brick crosswalks.
We completed 7 bridge projects, including Collingwood, Broadway, and Holland-Sylvania. The King Bridge project is on track for completion in 2006.
Thanks mostly to Congresswoman Kaptur, Senators DeWine and Voinovich, ODOT and TMACOG.
And we fixed the Hawley Street underpass by installing bright lights so kids have a safe path to school.
Since 2002 $9.4 million dollars in grants were secured to transform idle brownfield sites into usable land.
Led by Pete Gerken we passed legislation for a methane gas recovery plant that will ultimately provide an additional $600 thousand dollars annually to the general fund and fix energy costs at the wastewater plant for 20 years.
We have met every deadline in the $450 million clean water Consent Decree, to modernize the City's sewer system and protect the environment.
Speaking of the environment, a recent study of Ohio's landfills showed that up to 60% of what we throw away is recyclable!
This year I call on Toledo to double our recycling rate. Next year our goal is to have over half our residents recycling. We will have an aggressive mix of education and incentives that will increase participation. Chris Pizza will lead, but we need everyone to join this effort.
Our leaf collection program was 30% more productive than last year because we replaced older equipment.
Director Jimmy Gaines, Commissioner Dave Moebius and their team did a great job on this. And aren't the city crews doing a heck of a job in moving the snow?
Our parks and boulevards were well maintained. This year we will focus on beautifying the gateways into our city. We reduced the tree removal backlog by 42% and the tree-trimming backlog by 18%. The Jermain Park Tennis Courts were upgraded and reopened for play.
The Highland Park walking path was completed. Urged on by Councilwoman Wilma Brown, Winterfeld Park received a new basketball court and new play equipment was installed at Beverly, Crossgates, and Sleepy Hollow Parks. And, thanks to our great corporate sponsor, DaimlerChrysler, Liberty Park opened as the City's 145th park.
Our Tim Energy grant program has awarded 15 grants. Our Youth Entrepreneur Program is entering its fourth year. To date 157 young people have received training and 73 have started their own businesses. And they have a good record in paying back on their loans.
The health of our youth is so very important. This year the Toledo Youth Commission will launch a new health, fitness and nutrition program for 1000 youngsters. Our partners include the YMCA, The OSU Extension Office, The US Department of Health, The Toledo Zoo, United Way and Toledo Public Schools.
With the implementation if CareNet, a coordinated health care network, 5,000 Lucas County previously uninsured residents now have regular health care services.
In 2005, we will push forward to increase that by an additional 1,500 served.
President Escobar, I thank you for working with me, and leading council in all these efforts. Clearly your leadership reflects your spiritual sense and your innate kindness to people.
Mr. President, we have much to do in the future.
We need to recognize that the Toledo Botanical Garden will never thrive if it relies on city funds. My plan is to enter a long-term lease or sale with the Metroparks.
This will insure that it remains public land and have more resources including a new information center. Years ago the Toledo Zoo went in this direction and look where it is today. From this lease or sale we will have a net savings of at least $400 thousand dollars to the general fund. These dollars can help replenish the Block Trust fund, and help build the downtown amphitheatre.
[A downtown amphitheatre? Well, it seems like a good idea. But I'll believe it when I see it. What happened to the sports arena?]
I believe we have a great opportunity to honor a distinguished Toledoan who did much for downtown development, civic advancement and responsibility. The new amphitheatre should bear the name of Paul Block Jr. We are pursuing grants from the US Park Service, private corporate donations, and we should use the parks trust fund.
Mr. President, we must move to build a new downtown parking garage on Erie Street now.
There is business demand to accommodate our large institutions' employees and customers. Development of the Madison Building depends on this.
Mr. President, we must continue to assemble land north of the new Jeep site. As you know we have been quietly working on the supplier park. An agreement will be ready this Friday.
["... assemble land" So that's what Toledo calls imminent domain.]
Mr. President, we must revitalize the North Detroit Corridor that has fallen into disrepair. This area has potential for new business locations and borders a strong Toledo neighborhood. I will ask for a $5 million dollar investment through a combination of bonds and TIF agreements to get the job done.
Mr. President, we will pave 30 miles of roads this year, a 36 percent increase from 2004.
And finally, Mr. President, let me speak on our budget.
We have a senior committee monitoring the 2005 numbers weekly. In addition they are analyzing revenues and expenses to create the 2006 budget. And Mr. President – I am worrying about 2006! Absolutely! - I worry about everything, every day.
Mr. President, I look forward to working with you on this series of initiatives.
Finally, let me converse with the citizens of Toledo directly. I have been criticized for what one pundit recently called my lumbering style. That I seem to be in perpetual hibernation that nothing gets done or will be done.
Fellow citizens, my style has been to work hard, work quietly and have the work I’ve done speak for me. Now that pundit claimed I must have been President of the Chess Club – actually – that’s true!
But I was also captain of my undefeated high school football team – the Springfield South Wildcats! The same style served me well when I was on City Council and rose to its presidency. It was the style I used to start SASI, Adelante and build the Frank Troy Center. It was the same style that saw me elected to the Ohio State legislature and ultimately elected democratic leader for the whole State of Ohio.
As you know, I ran for Mayor on the stated platform of serious leadership for serious times. You will never see me substitute frantic ravings in place of thoughtful planned out action.
We have seen many challenges in the last three years and we have others before us.
I pledge to work with all my might, all my heart and all my soul to protect this great city and deliver services in an efficient, safe and quality manner.
As I sign off tonight, lets keep prayer paramount in Toledo. I ask you to engage in fellowship with each other. KOINONHA – type fellowship. Give to each other.
As Pastor Rick Warren has instructed the whole country, fellowship on earth is just the repeated practice of loving one another, which will be the standard in the hereafter.
Thank you, God bless you, and good night.
[Nice ending. Just don't pray in a public school. Well, the speech highlights a lot of areas, but no mention of the sports arena. Is that because the sports arena is included with the Marina District project? No mention of the failing Erie Street Market. No mention of North Town Mall closing.]
Here are Mayor Ford's state of the city speeches for 2003 and 2004.
From the 2003 speech:
"Susan Reams deserves our applause for her work as an advocate for the arts. She has raised the focus on arts at City Hall and is developing an arts consortium that meets in this building. Susan has finished the funding of the first phase of the Walbridge Destination Park--a world-class park for all children--she has done an extraordinarily good job."
"We continue to work on the Marina Project. We now have a blueprint for this project--the Chema Report--and I will be leading the effort to partner with the state, county, port authority and the private sector to get this project done."
"We will reach a deal on the revitalization of Southwyck Mall."
"We need strength to face our challenges. Let's show this community to be the shining city on the hill, but a city inspired by prayer. I believe prayer changes things. Let's invoke God's intercession. So I end tonight by asking the Toledo community to pray more. Pray for me. Pray for our families in need. Pray for our children. And, pray for our city."
Glancing through the 2003 speech, it seems Mayor Ford has accomplished some of the tasks he outlined.
In the 2004 speech:
"For the first time in 30 years, we have challenged the "culture" of sick leave "abuse" by a few employees by developing a tougher policy. To date, we have seen a 30% reduction in sick leave with a corresponding increase of over $1.2 million in additional staff productivity."
"One of the most common questions that I hear is: what are you doing for revitalization? There are challenges still before us. Southwyck, Westgate, Promenade Park, the Steam Plant and The Erie Street Market."
"On Southwyck, John Loftus is working full time on the redevelopment of this South Toledo mall. It is an important anchor to the entire Reynolds Road corridor. In May, John and I will attend the International Council of Shopping Centers conference to market Southwyck to the world. And we will continue our efforts to bring it back to life."
"And we continue our efforts to turn Northtowne Mall into a productive community asset through mixed use rezoning."
"On Promenade Park, we turned the former Federal Building site into a green space. This year we will unveil our plans for the park from Summit Street to the river, to be done in 2005. On the Steam Plant, we will put out a Request for Proposal next week for its development."
"I know there is a lot of concern about the Erie Street Market. Past administrations ignored expert advice on how to design and operate a successful market. As a result the market has always struggled. A few years ago, the market was nearly full of merchants. Unfortunately many of those merchants were not paying their rents. The City cannot and should not subsidize merchant rents. That is an irresponsible use of your tax dollars."
"I am proud to report that we kept Owens Corning world headquarters and its 1,000 jobs, downtown where they belong. We helped Libbey Glass to get stronger. Pilkington will stay in Toledo, thanks in part to our Downtown Employee Incentive Program. And that program helped us keep the Hylant Group downtown as well."
"During the last two years, we held 7 technology summits to highlight the advances being made in our region. Last year, the City supported technology by contributing $100 thousand to the Regional Growth Partnership's In-4 Fund. This fund assists technology companies that need access to capital in the early stages of their business."
"Also, I believe that the arts are an engine for economic development. For Toledo to become a vibrant urban center, we must implement our plans that focus on arts and culture. Isn't it true that we think more about arts and elegance now than we did just 2 years ago? My administration elevated arts to cabinet-level status. We released the strategic plan for arts and culture. And we launched the first comprehensive website for arts and entertainment called toledoarts.org. We introduced ArtWorks, a fine arts show downtown. Dr. Richard Florida ignited a new community-wide interest in the Arts as economic development."
"Toledo took the lead and passed a Clean Indoor Air Ordinance. I thank the businesses that are following the law. And I thank City Council, Dr. David Grossman, and the community advocates for their courage in supporting the health of our citizens. This law is one of the toughest in the country and it is the right thing to do, period!"
Uh, hello, Bowling Green was first with the smoking ban. Toledo followed Bowling Green. And like Bowling Green, Toledo had to soften the ban, because of businesses being financially hurt from it. Period.
More from '04:
"But these are tough economic times. And when we have tough economic times, we have to go back to the basics. The three R's. But this time it is a different set of R's. Responsiveness, the River, and Regionalism."
"Last year I ended my speech by asking citizens to pray for Toledo. I do so again because prayer is all-powerful. Prayer changes things. We need it. And I thank the many of you who have done so on behalf of the city, on behalf of my family, and most especially on behalf of the children of Toledo."
Well, Mayor Ford does give good speeches that highlight his accomplishments, except for that tree-trimming comment. Ford has had successes and failures like any politician would. Some goals have been met. Some of those unfinished tasks are leftovers from the "previous administration." I say, Mayor Ford wins re-election easily even with Carty in the race.
And I can't wait for the next piece of prefab drivel from that "other" political party. The tone, construction, and timing of Noe's response was wrong. It doesn't attract people to the Republican party. It was irritating.
posted by jr to politics at 5:33 P.M. EST
(6 Comments)
Comments ...
Is anyone else falling for Ford's scam?
The scam has wormed itself so stealthily into our culture that we can't even see it without somebody jumping up and down and pointing it out.
The scam is that Toledo's politicians have given up on managing a government over a prospering Capitalist economy. Now, the plan is to manage welfare projects.
All Ford is doing is juggling spreadsheets for all manner of welfare money for this to happen or that to not happen. If it were any more obvious, Toledo would be in receivership and Ford would be the appointed administrator.
On top of that, since tax abatements are now a rule of city government, the politicians have also given up on taxing wealth. What remains is a bully system for chasing worker incomes, applying liens on individual properties, and fining speeders.
Toledo is like an old man who -- after mumbling incoherently in the park and wetting himself -- is placed in a nursing home and have his chin and butt wiped daily. The key to understanding how wrong this is, is that the "old man" is actually a 30-yr-old who has simply given up on life after taking a few hard knocks. Sure, his hair has prematurely greyed, but there's no actual physical reason he can't speak clearly, think cogently, and take care of himself. He just doesn't want to anymore. And that means he's no longer the master of his own fate, and that others have laid hands on him and have control of his life. So anything can now happen. And what will probably happen will be really, really bad.
posted by Guest at 01:54 A.M. EST on Fri Jan 28, 2005 #
On top of that, since tax abatements are now a rule of city government, the politicians have also given up on taxing wealth. What remains is a bully system for chasing worker incomes, applying liens on individual properties, and fining speeders.
Can someone please tell me how to get tax abatement? While the amount I pay in city income tax has remained the same from 1997 to 2004, my property taxes have skyrocketed more than 30%, in the same period, much greater than the rate of inflation.
posted by mike2004 at 08:02 A.M. EST on Fri Jan 28, 2005 #
Want that abatement, Mikey? Turn your home into a business, hire people, then threaten to take it out of Toledo unless you get one. Pure extortion.
People commonly say that increasing taxes decreases jobs. (This may actually be true.) And businesses like Jeep say tax abatements will keep the jobs Toledo has. (This is only partially true.) But it has yet to be proven that cutting taxes on wealth is good for society. I don't think it will be proven since the entire elitist tax structure is so obviously destroying society. People squawk about their expensive homes and how those are their pieces of the pie of wealth, yet find themselves unable to sell them. I have to laugh.
The homeowners in Toledo are in for a real agony for the next decade. But make sure that the taxes and levies continue to pass with flying-colors margins in each vote. I can only suspect from the historical margins that a majority of those homeowners will STILL support the common property taxes. The percentage of homeowners (I suspect the definition means all those who own a home or are paying a mortgage) in Toledo is about 65% (whereas in Cincinnati it's about 35%), hence it seems that Toledo's homeowners are completely stupid and will vote themselves into a hole soon enough.
Ford's speech neglected to mention his financial chicanery of the last 6 months that led up to the resolution of the police/fire layoffs. Toledo is still losing population, is still on the hook for enormous debts, and can only face another serious budget shortfall in a very short order. Either Ford must deal with it again upon re-election, or he can (happily?) hand it off for Carty to eat in 2006. Since both men are spend-spend-spend politicians, a lot of tax increases can only come down the pipe in 2006 and beyond.
posted by Guest at 12:26 P.M. EST on Sat Jan 29, 2005 #
"The city of Toledo's Director of Economic Development, Bill Carroll, met with one of the owners of Southwyck, Sherman Drysenson, in Kansas City Wednesday. Carroll says the meeting went well. He says it was time to get serious about Southwyck and getting something positive done with the 58 acres of land out here."
The Director of Economic Development has just now realized that it's time to get serious about Southwyck? At least two years too late but what the heck.
posted by jr at 10:37 P.M. EST on Thu Feb 10, 2005 #
The guest column in the latest issue of the Toledo City Paper is by WSPD morning show host Bob Frantz.
“We are on the cusp of being on the cutting edge.” — Mayor Jack Ford, 1/25/05
"It’s been more than two weeks since that dubious claim came mumbling from the mouth of our mayor during his state-of-the-city address, and I’m still lying awake at night trying to figure out what it means."
"Hizzoner spent a great deal of, um — energy — in his address highlighting the tremendous progress the city has made under his leadership. Curiously, it was only last September that Mayor Ford went to New York City and declared Toledo a disaster area. Of course, the mayor threw the blame for the city’s ills at President Bush rather than taking personal responsibility, but his point was that Toledo was fading into oblivion."
"So now, just five months later, Ford is dislocating his shoulder to pat himself on the back for an hour, as voters are left to wonder which is true: Are we falling apart at the seams, or are we on the verge of approaching the perimeter of the cusp of the cutting edge?"
posted by jr at 12:29 A.M. EST on Fri Feb 11, 2005 #
"Speculation is the company that developed Levis Commons in Perrysburg is interested in the Southwyck site."
posted by jr at 06:41 P.M. EST on Sun Feb 13, 2005 #
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